“That makes one of us.” Astrid smiled. “Because I’m looking, but I have no clue what I’m seeing.”
Darnell walked past Charlie and moved close to the rubble. He stood for a moment as hushed voices began to murmur questions.
Darnell kicked one of the stones, then turned around to face the crowd. “No more,” he said so softly that Astrid wasn’t sure of the words.
“No more!” Darnell shouted.
He paused and looked at the crowd. More people streamed into the assembly area. To Astrid it looked like most of the fortress’s servants were there along with a good portion of the Civil Guard and the woods people.
Darnell’s legs trembled, but his gray eyes blazed in his dirty face. “No more!” Darnell shouted again and turned his face to the sky. It wasn’t an objection, but a statement. “Lungu is no more!”
“No more!” someone shouted from the crowd, then someone else. Soon hundreds of people chanted the phrase over and over.
The excitement of the crowd dimmed only a little when Darnell stumbled, put his hands to his knees, and vomited.
“OK,” Astrid said, stepping over to the man. She waved Benny over. “Do you have room for him?” she asked the reluctant warden.
“A cell? What’s he done wrong?”
“No, no,” Astrid laughed. “Sorry. I meant a spare room—one of the rooms your guards use for overnights?”
“Oh, sure,” Benny hesitated. “He looks kinda…”
“Yeah,” Astrid replied with a sour look. “He could use some help. I’ll send some healers for him.” She turned to Darnell as the crowd dispersed.
Charlie made a happy sound, then turned back to the pile of rubble. He picked up a stone that must have weighed more than Astrid, Benny, and Darnell combined. Charlie found a spot for the stone, then another. He began arranging the rubble in neat rows.
“What is he doing?” Benny asked.
“I don’t know,” Astrid replied. “But let’s leave him to it. Looks like he has something in mind.”
She carefully avoided the puddle of Darnell’s sick and guided him to a set of stairs behind the former gallows’ foundation.
The woozy Darnell suddenly stood up straight and alert.
“Oh no,” he keened. “Don’t take me in there!” He planted his feet like a stubborn mule. Astrid let him go and he stumbled backward. “You can’t lock me in there again!”
“Again?” Astrid asked, cocking her head.
Benny suddenly gasped. “I know you!” he exclaimed. “That’s why your name sounded familiar!”
“Well, who is he?” Astrid demanded.
Benny rounded on Astrid wide-eyed. “You and he are the only two people who ever walked away from the gallows.”
“The rope broke!” Darnell exclaimed. “It wasn’t Marwood’s fault! It was the gods! They spared me that day. The Charter says a failed execution earned me a reprieve! You can’t put me back in there!”
“Slow down, Darnell,” Astrid soothed, stepping closer. She placed both hands on his shoulders to hold him steady. “It’s much different in there now.”
“Yeah!” Benny added enthusiastically. “It’s actually clean now.”
“It ain’t no nice place,” Darnell countered. “Can’t be.”
“Well, no,” Astrid replied. “It’s a jail. But nobody is tortured in there anymore. We treat people fairly, even those who break the law.” Darnell didn’t look convinced. “What were you accused of, Darnell?”
“I didn’t do nothin’,” the old man exclaimed. “I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. That soldier fell on his own damn dagger. Serves him right, after what he did to that girl. I mean…what they say he did. I didn’t see nothin’.”
Benny shook his head. “That’s the same story he told when I was an apprentice jailer here. The soldier—and I use the term loosely—raped a girl, or at least he was accused of that. We all assumed it was true just from the word on the street. Never went to trial, because the next day they came to arrest him but he was in his room at the inn with his guts hanging out. Looked like he’d been in a fight. They found Darnell passed out in the next room with a dagger in his hand and a bloody face. He looked all beat up, they said.”
Darnell cringed and mumbled, “I didn’t do nothin’. All I’m guilty of is having too much to drink.”
“Well,” Astrid declared, “you are going back in there, but I promise you you’re free to come and go as you please. Benny will take care of you.”
“I don’t need no damn taking care of!” Darnell exclaimed. He wriggled free from Astrid’s hands and wobbled to a more-or-less upright position. “I work for my keep.” He tried to puff out his chest but ended up belching and bending over again. “Might be sick,” he croaked. “I can work, though. I’m hell with a mop and broom.”
Astrid left Darnell with Benny and crossed the assembly space. Charlie was busy lining up all the stones. He whistled a beautiful song as Astrid walked by. He was in his own world and seemed utterly content with it.
“This place,” Astrid said aloud, “is the weirdest.”
She just didn’t know what to make of it all.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Politics and Persuasion
Astrid woke at dawn and stretched in front of the massive arched windows again. The fire in the wood stove had died overnight, but she was fine with that; the little stove hadn’t kept up with the cold from outside anyway. She enjoyed waking up in a cold room, especially when she had a busy day ahead.
The chamber door opened and her young attendant entered. His light footsteps echoed off the beige sandstone walls.
“Good morning, Astrid,” Tomas said, with a smile this time. Astrid was glad to see it.
“Good morning, Tomas.” She squinted at him. “How do you know when I’m awake?” She asked. She found it uncanny that he appeared as soon as she woke up.
Tomas shrugged. “It’s my job.”
“I see,” Astrid answered, although she didn’t. “I’ll let you get back to your work, then.”
Tomas paused. He looked as if he were about to say something, then turned away.
“Wait a minute,” Astrid called as Tomas took a step. He froze. “Did you want to tell me something?”
“Ah…” Tomas turned back, red-faced.
“It’s OK,” Astrid said. “You can talk to me.”
“It’s a question, really,” Tomas replied. Astrid smiled and waited. Tomas cleared his throat. “I’m way ahead of my work this morning. Can I go see the giant?”
Astrid laughed. “Sure you can. His name is Charlie, and he’ll be happy to see you. He doesn’t talk much.” Astrid thought about her statement. “He doesn’t talk at all, really.”
Tomas gave a little nod and scurried away. He and the other youngsters had looked much happier since she’d had a talk with their bosses. Astrid gave standing orders that all the servants were to get breakfast at the start of their workday. The bosses had objected until they realized they were included.
One of the bosses took her aside and informed her that this generosity would make them soft. Astrid almost laughed in her face when she realized the boss was referring to herself as much as the Protector’s attendants. That just made her feel sad.
Astrid put the servants’ boss at ease by telling her that this was her way of making sure they had enough energy to work even harder. That seemed to do the trick. It was one more step toward her goal of removing fear and intimidation from their work ethic.
After she scrubbed her face with a soapy washcloth and cold water she scarfed the bread and a cold chicken breast, then slipped on her armor. No plain leather for her today.
She went downstairs to her official chambers, flanked once again by George and Merg. They ran interference between her and the throng of bureaucrats who needed official answers.
With her first order of business today she hoped to change all that.
She found Gormer and Pleth already in the room, seated at the table she’d h
ad brought in. The ornate oak desk with its gold inlay was just too much for her. Besides, it was piled high with scrolls and parchments.
She pulled up a simple pine chair and sat at the table, which was made from polished ash.
“This is more like it.” Astrid sighed and said good morning. Pleth tried to put on a good face, but it was obvious he was not happy. “I guess Gormer has already put the question to you?”
Pleth took a deep breath and answered with a pained look. “He has. I haven’t seen my family in more than a month, although I told them I’d be back. When I take this job…”
Astrid looked up at the ceiling for help. She found this much more difficult than fighting. “We’re asking a lot of you, Julius,” she said, using his first name for the first time.
“No, you’re not,” Pleth replied firmly. “I’m only beginning to make up for the harm I’ve done. I feel selfish even asking, but I really need to see my family. I feel like I’m dying.”
“We can send for them,” Astrid replied hopefully.
Pleth shook his head. “I don’t want them here.” The heat in his response surprised her. When she arched her brow Pleth explained. “I mean, since I was a kid in Krepska Village, all I wanted to do was climb to the top of the ranks in the protectorate. Then, after my…downfall, I found myself in Argan and wondered why I had ever wanted to leave village life. My children are happy in a small hut, surrounded by friends and people who care about them. I don’t want them in this snake pit.”
Astrid nodded. “I understand, and I respect that.” She thought for a moment. “Could you do your work from Keep Fifty-Two It’s closer to Argan. You could travel back and forth, especially now that Vinnie’s snow wagons are clearing the roads.”
“But the center of the Protectorate is here,” Pleth said. “Literally. Lake Bicaz is pretty much the geographical center.”
“Maybe we’re getting ahead of ourselves,” Astrid said. “Do you agree to take the job?”
“Of course,” Pleth answered. “What choice do I have?”
Astrid balked. “No, that’s not how this works. I won’t force you into doing this. As far as I’m concerned, your debt is paid in full. I’m asking you for your help.”
Gormer surprised them both. “Julius, we’ve both changed. I get that you are holding yourself to your own set of obligations, although I wouldn’t have understood anything like that just a few weeks ago.” He smiled and gave an uncomfortable laugh. “I’m still not sure I’m OK with it. I kinda miss the old Gormer.”
“Not me!” Pleth cut in.
The tension broke as they chuckled and Gormer continued, “What if we get some of the Dregs to escort you back to Argan—”
“I’d need an escort?” Pleth asked.
Astrid nodded. “I’m afraid so. We still have unrest. There are still a lot of people out there who are unhappy with us.” She quickly added, “But Argan is safe. I’m afraid it’s not really a small village anymore, though.”
Pleth looked relieved and a bit puzzled. “Well, I guess I could take some of these documents with me.” He nodded to the table and took another deep breath. “I’m in,” he declared in a strong voice. “I’ll need some things, though.”
“Pay is no object,” Astrid said.
It was Pleth’s turn to laugh. “Just months ago I’d have banged my head against a wall before saying this.” He took a deep breath. “I don’t care about the coin. I should have been more specific. I’ll need some people. You might not like what I have in mind.”
Astrid shook her head. “You’d be surprised. You’re in the power chair. I’ll do anything to get out from behind that fucking desk.”
“Yup,” Pleth replied, folding his arms across his chest. “You need me for sure. You’re terrible at bargaining. Never admit something like that at the negotiation table.”
“Well, spit it out,” Astrid replied with mock exasperation.
“I need to get Treasurer Brol out of jail. Gormer already told me that Brovka is on our side. I’ll need their counsel, but I don’t see any way to keep this together without insiders—people who may have been on Lungu’s side.”
Astrid frowned. “You’re right, I don’t like that. Lungu’s only friend might be dangerous.”
“I’ll check him out,” Gormer said, and tapped his temple. “I’ll know if he means us harm. The servants say Brol did his best to keep Lungu from killing them.”
“Wow!” Astrid groaned. “Sounds like a real hero.” The sarcasm practically dripped from her lips.
“Another thing,” Pleth added. “There are still a lot of people who hate me, and I’ll suddenly be their boss. I spent many years as an assessor. That business doesn’t make you friends in the villages or keeps.”
Astrid shook her head. “You’re new to leadership, so just keep things simple. Don’t let your power go to your head. Just stick to your newfound principles and do the right thing without fail. Most people will respond to that. If they don’t, it means they’re not reasonable and will just have to fuck off.”
“You make it sound so easy.” Pleth sighed.
“It does get easier,” Astrid replied. “You get started today. Put out the biggest fires. We’ll send you back to Argan just as soon as we can. It might take a few days, though.”
“What about Brol?” Pleth asked.
“I’ll pay him a visit. If Gormer thinks he’s OK, I’ll send him to help you.” She paused. “And I’ll make sure he knows that he works for you.”
“You mean he works for you,” Pleth shot back.
“Same thing,” Astrid said.
Pleth registered shock again. “What?” Astrid asked with narrow eyes. “You’ve earned my trust. Don’t look so surprised. You and Gormer speak with my voice here.”
“Why does the trust you’re giving me make me feel a bit queasy?” Pleth asked.
“Because you’re still getting used to the ‘new you,’” Astrid replied as she stood. “You have a shit-ton of work to take your mind off all that, though, so…” She pointed at the desk piled with papers to complete her thought. “Gormer and I have to meet with those snakes you referred to earlier.”
They left through a side door with their guards. Astrid knew them both. One was a woods person named Corin and the other was the first defector from the Civil Guard, Marty.
Astrid greeted them. She was all business, but she was glad to see them.
“I’m surprised you remember me,” Corin said as they walked down a narrow corridor lit by tiny oil lamps.
“I always remember those I fight with,” Astrid replied.
Corin shot her a smile as he led the way. The passage twisted and turned and took them down several steel spiral staircases.
“What the fuck?” Gormer declared more than asked. “How many secret passages does this place have?”
Marty laughed. “Since the head of the fortress’s Guard came over to our side I’ve learned a ton about this place. He won’t draw me a map, but he gave me the grand tour.”
After what seemed like an eternity they stopped at a narrow door. Corin pushed through it into a chamber off the main meeting room.
Astrid had chosen this room because it was big enough to accommodate all the first lieutenants, their first charges, and at least one or two assistants. When she parted a curtain that separated the smaller room from the larger, she froze.
“Shit,” Gormer muttered. “This is bad.”
Less than half the first lieutenants were there, huddled together in a small group. Some of them were bandaged.
Astrid clenched her jaw and stepped forward. They didn’t notice her until she used command voice to greet them.
“Thank you for coming here today.” She didn’t address their condition. “Please, take your seats. I have refreshments coming.”
A woman stepped forward while the others hesitated. The woman never broke eye contact with Astrid while she pulled up a chair.
Astrid and Gormer sat on one side of the massive rectan
gular table and the lieutenants arranged themselves on the other side.
This is getting off to a bad start, Astrid thought. She tried to keep her face neutral. She was about to speak when the woman who sat first broke the ice.
“Protector Astrid, I am First Lieutenant Mika of the Southern District. Forgive me for not standing on protocol, but you’ve probably guessed how things turned out. We need to be direct.”
Astrid tried to regain her bearings. She’d done a quick headcount as everyone sat. Fifteen out of forty Lieutenants had shown up, which meant the majority were against her. She tried not to crunch the numbers of how many estate troops opposed her rule. All she knew was that her job had just gotten much harder.
“I appreciate that. Please accept my regrets. I hope your losses weren’t too great.”
Mika blinked. “That’s it?” she stated more than asked. “That’s all you have to say?”
From the corner of her eye Astrid saw Corin step forward sharply, but Marty pulled him back.
Mika continued while the color rose in her cheeks. “You come to this land, you stir up all this shit, kill our leader, then you call us all in and express your regrets?”
Against the advice of pretty much everyone, Astrid had allowed them to carry their weapons into the meeting. Some of the lieutenants shifted subtly in their chairs in a way that only a fighter would notice. They were getting ready.
Astrid placed her hands palms down on the table. Staring around the table unwaveringly, she spoke in a calm and measured voice. “I did what I had to do—what the Well called on me to do. I am here to set things right. I am here to bring justice.”
Mika leaned back and shook her head. “We had a good thing going here,” she declared. “From where I’m sitting, you made things go wrong.”
“Then why are you here?” Astrid demanded. “Why not run with the others and hatch your little plots?”
Mika looked genuinely puzzled. She looked around at the Lieutenants. “We decided that the Protectorate was more important. We swore an oath to defend the Charter, after all. Now we’re paying for it with blood and riches.”
Astrid smiled. “You’re not as lost as I thought.” That both surprised and offended them. “I’ve read your Protectorate Charter, you know.”
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